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Backhaul Revenue Calculator

Work out backhaul revenue instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Backhaul Revenue Calculator

A backhaul on an otherwise empty return leg carries only incremental cost — extra fuel and wear — because the vehicle and driver are already paid for. That is why backhaul rates well below full haulage rates still generate substantial contribution.

Formulas

Revenue per backhaul

Revenue = Empty return distance x Backhaul rate per km

Contribution

Contribution = Revenue - Empty return distance x Incremental cost per km

Worked example

With the default values below, Backhaul Revenue Calculator returns Monthly contribution from backhauls of $108,000.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Empty return distance
180 km
Backhaul rate achievable per km
34
Incremental cost per km when loaded
9
Backhaul opportunities per month
24

Results

Monthly contribution from backhauls
$108,000.00
Contribution per backhaul
$4,500.00
Revenue per backhaul
$6,120.00
Annualised contribution
$1,296,000.00

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Revenue per backhaul
  3. 3Contribution
  4. 4Monthly contribution from backhauls= 108,000.00
  5. 5Contribution per backhaul= 4,500.00
  6. 6Revenue per backhaul= 6,120.00
  7. 7Annualised contribution= 1,296,000.00

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why accept a rate below the normal haulage rate?

Because the alternative is running empty and earning nothing. Any rate above the incremental cost per kilometre improves the result.

What is the risk?

Backhauls that delay the vehicle's return and disrupt the next scheduled outbound load, which can cost more than the backhaul earns.

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